SCOTT Mitchell makes his first league start of the season for Newport tomorrow in skipper Gary Teichmann's Rodney Parade farewell against Caerphilly.

Mitchell steps in at outside half for Shane Howarth, whose damaged shoulder makes it doubtful whether he will make the Principality Cup final against Neath on May 13.

"The circumstances in which I've been thrown in are unfortunate, and I'd have rather gone in on merit," said 22-year-old Mitchell.

"It's very frustrating being on the bench and coming on eventually in the lesser games.

"But it's nice to get out on the pitch and have a run. We face three vital games now, and three wins would be good.

"If I do struggle I've got the boys round me and they'll point me in the right direction."

Newport director of rugby Allan Lewis doesn't doubt Mitchell's ability.

"He's been in the shadows, but he's an under 21 cap, he's young with potential and has got to grasp his chance. He played quite well when he came on at Swansea," he said.

Centre Jason Jones-Hughes is another casualty, missing because of a knee injury suffered at Swansea last week as a replacement for Matt Pini.

Matthew Watkins remains at outside centre while Pini has recovered from a facial injury which forced him off after just 10 minutes.

Also fit is inside centre Andy Marinos, another knee injury victim at Swansea, while tighthead prop Adrian Garvey has recovered from a calf strain which forced him to miss the match.

Rod Snow reverts to loosehead, James Richards is back at hooker, Darren Edwards at scrum half and Peter Buxton at blindside.

Newport are expecting a big crowd for Teichmann's Rodney Parade finale plus the must-win nature of the game.

"We have to win two of our last three games to gain a European place. The players do appreciate the magnitude of the situation," said Lewis.

Newport: M Pini, M Mostyn, M Watkins, A Marinos, B Breeze, S Mitchell, D Edwards, R Snow, J Richards, A Garvey, S Raiwalui, I Gough, P Buxton, G Teichmann (captain), J Forster. Replacements: M Llewellyn, J Pritchard, D Burn, C Jones, P Young, G Taylor, J Powell.

Caerphilly from: G Lewis, S Marshall, D Griffiths, R Boobyer, D Hawkins, C John, L Richards, C Bridges, A Jacobs, J Hughes, M Bolton, C Fitzpatrick, A Jones, M Wilson, N Jones, N Watkins, M Workman, K Hocking, G Jones, B Watkins, N Strong, A Williams. Kick off 2.30pm